Fighting Fire–Before it Starts

Another important step in the long-standing relationship between the Santa Clara-Ivins Fire & Rescue department and the Desert Preservation Initiative (DPI) took place when DPI President Chuck Warren gave Fire Captain Andrew Parker and Battalion Chief Con Fulde a tour of tamarisk removal work in the Ivins community of Kayenta.

DPI representatives Terrence Walters and Kamal Khan joined Warren in showing the fire officials DPI’s continuing work on tamarisk removal and treatment, “giving them an opportunity to respond to the level and expertise we have developed in our projects,” says Warren. “We are doing it right,” he says, as DPI’s work results in greatly reducing the fire risk to homes and fuel load in the washes. Chief Parker agreed, commenting, “This is perfect.”

One of the key changes is how DPI handles cut debris, now leaving debris on site except in a few cases, for example when there is not good placement out of sight or where runoff during heavy rains could move debris. (Big trunks go to the Southwest Woodturners Club). While debris could burn and even smolder for days, the danger is totally different from that posed by standing tamarisk trees. In addition, Fulde added, “debris left on site reduces erosion problems and adds nutrients to the soil.” “This is a restatement of the basis for our practice,” Warren says.

A shared purpose—reducing wildfire risk—is the basis for the on-going cooperative relationship between the non-profit and the government agency. As Chief Parker told Warren in a 2022 interview reported in the Shonto Pointers newsletter, the local area in the greatest fire danger is the western side of Ivins, in the communities of Kayenta and Indigo Trails and the area southwest of Highway 91. “We can mitigate a fire much quicker in town,” Parker said, noting that Indigo Trails, being just off the highway, is more accessible than Kayenta. Because tamarisk burns quickly and hot, it is a clear fire risk. Parker agreed that tamarisk in the Kayenta Wash create a particularly vulnerable area.

Building on that initial contact, Warren and Parker continue to interact at city council meetings, where Parker often refers to DPI during his presentations to city council, noting, Warren reports, “the work we are doing to reduce fire risk.” Further discussions have included exploration of pursuing grants to fund DPI’s work, which would lessen the financial burden on the fire department, and the possibility of the fire department capturing drone footage of where tamarisk has been removed so far.

On the recent tour, the fire department officials also visited the tamarisk debris corral; discussions are underway for the department to assist in burning accumulated tamarisk debris in the coming months. Residents will be notified in advance of burn dates.

“We are deeply appreciative of the fire department’s support and advice,” says Warren, “at the same time they welcome our work as good for the community and important to reducing the risk of fire. It’s definitely a win/win partnership.”